Obsidian Setup Guide
Free
Create a dependable local knowledge base for your AI work.
BEGINNER / LOCAL MARKDOWN
1. Set the stage
Obsidian stores notes in a vault: a folder of files. It is not an AI model, and it does not need an AI plugin to organize useful knowledge.
1. Install the official app
Download Obsidian from obsidian.md for your system. Open it and create a new vault in a folder you can locate and back up.
2. Create a small structure
Add Inbox, Projects, and Reference folders. Write one Markdown note with a heading, a short checklist, and a link to another note.
3. Keep the baseline simple
Use core features first. Leave community plugins restricted until a specific trusted plugin is needed for a real workflow.
4. Check storage & recovery
Close and reopen the vault. Find the .md file in your file manager. Set up a backup; configure sync separately if you need multiple devices.
2. Lean working stack
| Stage | Role | | --- | --- | | AI assistant | Create a draft | | Obsidian | Review & organize | | Backup | Protect the vault | | Human review | Maintain knowledge |
Arrows in the visual sheet show the order of work. External connections require separate setup. Optional tools may be replaced with ones you already use. This is a suggested stack for this task, not a universal optimum.
Link ideas, not only folders
Use note links to connect a client brief, decision, and result. Clear filenames and dates make retrieval easier than a large plugin collection.
Distinguish sync from backup
Sync helps devices share changes. A separate versioned backup helps recover deleted or damaged files; test restoration on a copy.
3. First practice task
Create a Project Brief note, a Decisions note, and a Resources note. Link them, add one approved AI output, then reopen the vault and verify the notes still exist as Markdown files.
Your setup is working when
The notes persist after reopening, links resolve correctly, and you know the vault folder and how a backed-up note can be restored.
Troubleshooting
Missing note? Check the vault and folder. Broken link? Check the name. Sync conflict? Keep both versions until you review the difference.
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